If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

Often when people ask, If God is for us, who can be against us? The answer that follows is nobody. But if nobody can be against us, why ask the question on a high scale?

I see that the construction of the question with an if is useful to understand the direction of the mind of the person involved. The problem begins with how we know if nobody CAN be against us instead of WOULD, especially when people hold to the view of an adversary that is actively involved in the play.

However, let’s backtrack and lay some foundation for this discussion, considering whether or not God is for us and if there could be one that can be against us in that case, as we address the above.

Previous Read: What If God Was One Of Us?

Is God For Us?

The question, If God is for us, who can be against us? is often asked because it appears in a verse of the letter of Paul to the church in Rome. The situation of the question is so unique that it has become a common quote for many who would use it in a rhetorical manner to show that with God, they are good to go. But is that really the case? Let’s say it is; the next question would be, Is God for us?

In Romans 8:31, Paul said, “What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?”

The first question suggests that he had said things that we should consider, and when we move back three verses, do you know what happens? We are met with some of the most controversial statements from the writings of Paul. Perhaps I should rephrase it as verses that cause controversies among Christians.

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:30 Whom he predestined, those he also called. Whom he called, those he also justified. Whom he justified, those he also glorified.

So, there’s a positive result of all things for those who love God; these are those who are connected by God’s purpose. This purpose is connected to God’s foreknowledge, in which he predestined people to conform to the image of Christ. The same people he predestined, he called, justified, and glorified. These appear to be actions he took beforehand and are being fulfilled according to his purpose.

There seems to be an unbroken chain of action performed by God on a particular person (he) or group of people (many brothers) in general, and that seems to be problematic for many. Therefore, people have argued, interpreted, and reinterpreted those verses to allow for everyone because clearly the sayings are for a particular people. Perhaps those are the US Paul was referring to when he asked, If God be for us, who can be against us?

Are you, myself, and we among the US that God is for? I mean, is God for us? Some would say that we are among them if only we choose to believe, but I think we have enough ifs to deal with. Assuming I was asked that question, I would say that God knows.

But like I said, there is an unbroken chain of events that seems unbreakable in the rendition of God’s actions, which are according to his purpose for the ones he called according to the same purpose. It doesn’t seem these ones are everyone, but the ones he acts on at his own will. I’m trying to be very diplomatic here, but I understand that some people still won’t like this. So, let’s move on.

If God Is For Us, Who Can Be Against Us?

Someone sang a song where he said, If God be for me, who can be against me? And the chorus was, No one! But having read what is written, I resolved to the position that if there is a God that is for people, it’s possible that God isn’t for everyone.

However, what is the meaning of the saying, If God is for us, who can be against us? While some think it’s simply an encouragement for those who believe in Christ, it is more about justification. The question fits into the context of an almighty judge who has not only decided to justify his chosen people against any accusations but is also willing to bless them as well.

Seeing how that works perhaps explains why CAN is used in place of WOULD, because if anyone could, they would. Literally speaking, how about Satan? Meanwhile, below are some of the post-texts for you to take a look at.

Romans 8:32 He who didn’t spare his own Son but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?

Romans 8:33 Who could bring a charge against God’s chosen ones? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, yes, rather, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.

If you go further, you will see how God has secured this people against every form of separation for the love that he has towards them. But let me note that there are those who think that they have the power to separate themselves from that love or connection. Accordingly, there are others who think that those who supposedly separated themselves could not have been partakers in that love to begin with. That is to say that they were not among the chosen people of God.

One thing I should point out is how people read such passages as this and assume a comfortable position to live as they like and do whatever they want with others. And when their actions affect other people negatively and they are confronted, their encouragement then becomes, If God is for me, who can be against me? And you know what the answer would be: nobody!

Perhaps, if there was a God (he) who cares about everyone and equally so, he would be for everyone and not some chosen people based on faith or his purpose, which appears to be exclusive to brethren after Christ. If God is for everyone, we sure won’t be asking who can be against anyone because we will be at peace with one another. But as it appears, it wasn’t meant to be, or was it?